What North Korea Really Wants: Free Trade With China, Not the US: But thus Mr. Trump ensures the survival of the national government with the worst human rights record in the world, according to the United Nations.

In a paradoxical situation, Mr. Trump is probably convinced that North Korea wants trade deals with the US, when in fact they want nothing of the sort.  What they really want is to trade with China, a natural ally because of their similar governmental systems.  When you look at current North Korean trade, virtually all of it is with China– and it had been severely restricted last year… but suddenly, just before the summit with Kim and Trump together, trade increased dramatically, back to relatively normal levels.  If in addition, financing can be had from Chinese banks, the North Koreans will be able to build their economy and strengthen the current ruling regime rather than suffering the otherwise inevitable collapse of their government if the recent trade restrictions were to continue.

Thus Mr. Trump ensures the survival of the national government with the worst human rights record in the world, according to the United Nations.